ISSUE 30: OCTOBER 2018
CONNECT ENABLING SUCCESS IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
In this issue: 2018 Roundtable Series Interact and engage with the updates!
ICCPM Re-Brands! What’s changed and NEW benefits. The ‘Live’ Contract: Complexity and Partnering in Construction Projects (pt. 2) Improving PM in Complex Change Environments: The Concept of Liminality The Power of Systems Thinking The Importance of Visualisation in Complex Projects Book Review, Research Updates and Events!
CONTACT US
CEO MESSAGE
STAFF Collin Smith CEO Naomi Mathers Director, Industry Liaison and Member Services Jennifer Merriman Business Manager Marissa Ayala Marketing Communications Lanie Lewis Office and Training Administrator ICCPM BOARD Alicia Aitken, Chair Simon Henley Collin Smith Ian Mack Phil Crosby Tim Banfield International Centre for Complex Project Management Ltd (ICCPM) PO Box 327 Deakin West ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA Level 2, Equinox 3 70 Kent Street Deakin ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA +61 2 6120 5110 admin@iccpm.com https://iccpm.com Twitter: @iccpm LinkedIn Company Page
The views expressed by contributors to this magazine are solely their own and ICCPM accepts no responsibility or liability for these views.
© ICCPM 2018
2 | ICCPM CONNECT
Hello and welcome to our October issue of CONNECT. This edition of CONNECT represents a very exciting time for ICCPM as we showcase the rebranding efforts that have been underway internally for many months. The team and I have been working closely with our partner, member and stakeholder community to refresh the organisation, in efforts to offer increased value to members, increased training services and enhanced practical tools and resources to help with the management of your projects. Read more about the changes in our ICCPM Re-brand Announcement. Since our last edition we held three more Roundtable Events around Australia in Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne. The sessions added great value to the discussion, bringing fresh perspectives, new ideas for exploration and made for great conversations. For the first time in this series, we have a podcast production on the outcomes! Hear from participants at the Melbourne Roundtable event surrounding key discussions on the day. As the year comes to a close, we will be Celebrating International Project Management Day by hosting two more Reviews of the Complex Project Manager Competency Standards in Canberra and Sydney. In the spirit of the day, the review aims to advance the
proficiencies of our project teams and betterment of the project management profession generally through competency standards that are current and relevant to the ever changing and increasingly complex project environment. In this edition you will read about some interesting insights on tools and concepts to help manage complexity and research which investigates improved partnership management in complex environments. Also included is a Book Review deemed by the reviewer as a “Practical Handbook for the PM’s desk”, a recommended read for our CONNECT community. On a final note, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy holiday season. This edition of CONNECT will be the final for 2018, the next to be published in February 2019 for ICCPM members only. We will also take this time to embark on a review of its publishing format, ensuring greater interactivity. Please contact us if you wish to share your feedback. Best wishes,
Collin Smith ICCPM CEO
BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
CONTENTS
BOOK REVIEW
2018 ICCPM Roundtable Series Feature Thanks and Initial Outcomes
Interactive Update from the Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne Roundtable Events 16
What’s Happening Next?
PMI Pulse of the Profession 2018; In-Depth Report Published 24
16 17
EDUCATION
NEWS ICCPM Re-Brands! A Warm Welcome to Western Sydney University
4
ICCPM Fellow’s Begin New Chapters
5
Industry News and Events
6
5
Education Update - NEW Offerings
25
ICCPM Short Courses
26
Training Calendars
ICCPM NETWORK
Profile: Graham Colborne Complexity and Partnering in Construction Projects - Part 2 Defining and Understanding Liminality to Improve Project Management in Complex Change Environments
The Importance of Visualisation in Complex Projects
27 & 29
Membership Changes and Updates 30
ARTICLES
The Power of Systems Thinking
22
RESEARCH
14
NEW: Podcast Series Catch Up
Scrappy Project Management: The 12 Predictable and Avoidable Pitfalls Every Project Faces
32
Complex Project Manager Competency Standards Review
8
9
LINKS & EVENTS 12 18 20
BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
Food for Thought
34
Event Calendar
35
Changes to CONNECT
35
ICCPM CONNECT | 3
It’s an Exciting Time for ICCPM...
Same Mission, with More Training, Higher Engagement and Greater Accessibility!
We’ve been hinting towards it for some time, and now the secret is out! ICCPM has made the decision to adopt new corporate branding in order to revitalise our brand, reflecting our growth and changes in our operating environment. We are thrilled to offer our community new training opportunities, membership offerings, and increased opportunities for engagement with your peers.
Why are we changing?
Historically, ICCPM’s brand and logo have had a strong association with Defence Industry - unsurprising given our establishment by international Government Defence agencies. This foundation has served our organisation well, establishing our international presence as the peak body for improving complex project performance, but as the awareness of, and need to understand, project complexity has intensified, the case for making our offerings fit for project professional across broader industries has strengthened. We have an increased focused to help project organisations and professionals to successfully manage complexity to deliver successful projects and corporate objectives. With this in mind, ICCPM is excited to announce we have decided to re-fresh our service offerings and branding to meet the growing needs of our clients and increase appeal to new target markets.
What will be changing? As of October 2018, the changes to our branding will be noticeable in main two ways: Corporate Colours, ICCPM website. We will be changing from our green and grey branding to orange and navy blue. We have also launched a new website with fresh appeal and increased flexibility for us to provide a user friendly interface to access resources and information easily. Over time, we will continue to transfer new resources and tools to the website, so check in regularly and explore the offerings! You will also see imrpovements made to CONNECT and other ICCPM resources. The future is bright! We look forward to offering our new products and services under a strengthened brand in the marketplace, working together to help you gain key industry insights and be there to help you to continue to advance the competencies of the international project profession. Find out More about Memberships 4 | ICCPM CONNECT
find our more about
Training Offerings
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NEWS & EVENTS A Warm Welcome to Western Sydney University The International Centre for Complex Project Management extends a warm welcome to Western Sydney University (WSU) who join our community as a new Academic Partner. Partnership between WSU and ICCPM signifies a strong commitment for strengthening the capabilities of future project managers to be equipped with the modern skills sets required for improved project performance and successful delivery. The connection between the WSU students and research, to ICCPM’s network of renowned Fellows and Industry Partners, allows the two organisations to optimise development opportunities for students, enhance research in key areas as identified by industry partners and provides opportunities for open exchange of information and insights between academics and project professionals to enhance capability in complex project delivery. “It is my pleasure to announce Western Sydney University as a new Academic Partner to the ICCPM. WSU has already demonstrated their own commitment to developing their own capability in project management through the initiation of their Project Management Office in 2017 and the establishment of a Master of Project Management degree in 2018. We look forward to working with WSU to advance a growing interest in the area of complexity in project environments.”
ICCPM Fellow’s Begin New Chapters Congratulations ICCPM Fellow Anthony (Tony) Fraser Named New Head of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) in the Australian Department of Defence, as we Farewell ICCPM Fellow Kim Gills who Sets Off for Retirement! ICCPM would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Tony Fraser for his recent appointment as Head of CASG, beginning November 2018. Tony has a substantial background in military and Defence capability, acquisition and sustainment, as well as accumulating 5500 military flying hours to reach the rank of Major General and achieving and A1 flying instructor rating. The appointment comes at a time when he will be responsible for delivering the Government’s recent $200 billion investment commitment in Australia’s future Defence capability. We look forward to continuing to collaborate closely with our Platinum Partner CASG under Tony’s leadership. Acknowledgement must also be made to Kim Gillis. Kim has earned himself his retirement after leading the CASG charge as Deputy Secretary for last 3 years of his 38 year career! It is without a doubt that Kim has played instrumental role in a number of National Defence projects and he leaves behind him a strong legacy felt through major reforms in Defence such as he adoption of Smart Buyer and the new Capability Life Cycle in Defence. Above: Tony Fraser (left) takes on new position as head of CASG. BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
We wish Kim all the best! ICCPM CONNECT | 5
NEWS & EVENTS Defence and Industry Conference 01 - 02 August
Network Updates
The annual Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) and Defence Industry gathered in Canberra to discuss policy and programs with a range of CASG and industry speakers to discuss the way forward. Hosted this year at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, the conference attracted over 1000 delegates over the two days from all corners of the Defence and Industry Sector.
The first day of the conference included a Gala Awards dinner hosted by celebrity MCs Rove McManus and Claire Hooper, recognising excellence in defence projects and the “degree to which industry and the Department of Defence have worked together in a spirit of collaboration to overcome challenges or problems – ensuring that the ADF has or will have the materiel it needs, when it needs it, and at a cost that represents value for money.” The two winners of this years Essington Lewis Trophies (one for SME and one for a Prime) were awarded to EM solutions (SME) and Boeing Defence Australia (Prime). Key note speakers for the conference on day 2 saw thought-provoking presentations from Defence and industry leaders along with ample opportunities for Q&A sessions and networking. The Defence and industry conference is an annual event. Be sure to watch out for information regarding the 2019 awards and conference.
The Project and Program Management Symposium aims to facilitate improvement in Australian project delivery outcomes. This years event saw 170 project managers, speakers and guests enjoyed presentations discussing the theme: Defence Projects and National Infrastructure - Failure is Not an Option.
PGCS Symposium 2018 15-16 August
The Symposium prides itself on bringing together international thought leaders from Europe and the USA from academic and practitioner backgrounds to share updates, progress and present new thinking to develop the professional body of knowledge. PGCS not a project management professional body – it is a non-aligned facilitator that aims to bring project management practitioners and researchers together, focusing on improving knowledge and skill sets across project management with emphasis on the governance and controls disciplines. Find out more about the PGCS Symposium here,
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ICCPM Speaks at 6th PMO Leadership Summit 22 August 2018
The annual 6th PMO Leadership Summit in Sydney brought together leaders and professionals in the PMO, project, portfolio and program space to discuss key strategies and techniques required to overcome challenges and advance your PMO’s capability. CEO of ICCPM Collin Smith addressed the delegates on the topic of Igniting Excellence and Long Term Value in your PMO.
Network Updates
The presentation focused on the People and Human Capital investment in PMOs to shift the value in the PMO office to be able to provide unifying organisational outcomes and thus improve project delivery. PMO’s need to recognise that people are the key force propelling change in the project environment, leaders must seize the opportunity to incorporate new methodologies into their repertoire to be agile, flexible and adaptable in response to this ambiguous environment. The PMO challenge is therefore to learn how to employ complexity thinking to complement traditional project methodologies to manage future projects. It is this ability to make step changes in the way the organisation implements [delivers] projects and programs that differentiates a PMO from a Successful PMO.
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) hosts an annual prize giving ceremony for the Faculty of Design, architecture and Building. Together with industry, the faculty celebrates students and graduates who have demonstrate exceptional ability and achievements.
University of Technology Sydney ICCPM Project Management Prize 5th September 2018
ICCPM is an industry sponsor of the UTS ICCPM Project Management Prize. This award aims to encourage Excellence in the Master of Project Management Course and is made out to the student who has obtained the highest mark in the subject Managing Project Complexity. The prize consists of $500 AUD cash. This year, ICCPM Chair of the Board Alicia Aitken had the pleasure of attending the evening festivities, presenting the ICCPM award to Michael Slinn.
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UPCOMING ICCPM EVENTS Complex Project Manager Competency Standards Review This year ICCPM has been collaborating with GAPPS to review the Complex Project Manager Competency Standards of which ICCPM is the proud sole custodian. These standards are available to project/program mangers worldwide, outlining the competencies, paradigms (mindset), behaviour, knowledge and special attributes project managers need to operate effectively within the complex project environment. So far the review process has been held in: Sydney, Australia; Vienna, Austria; and Delft, The Netherlands. PLEASE JOIN US to contribute your knowledge and ideas regarding Complex Projects to help review and develop these standards further at our upcoming Canberra and Sydney events. You will also have the opportunity to hear from the experience of Senior CPM leaders and executives to learn from their many insights. Numbers will be limited to ensure a productive consultation process. Senior project managers, HR professionals, and people with expertise in complexity and the development of project management standards, are encouraged to participate. GAPPS, The Global Alliance for the Project Professions, has for nearly 20 years been the gateway to the world of project management, writing performance based standards for project delivery and mapping various project standards for associations and governments. To find out more about GAPPS click here. Find out more and register here: Canberra (26 October) or Sydney (05 November)
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ARTICLES Complexity and Partnering in Construction Projects – Part 2 Dimitris Antoniadis , PhD Dr Dimitris Antoniadis has 30 years’ experience in Programme and Project Management positions having covered project phases from concept to handover and operation/maintenance. He has held Senior Management posts in major utilities, infrastructure and construction organisations. Dimitris has designed, set up and managed a number of Programme Management Offices (PMOs) with a wide range of responsibilities. He has also led or co-led major transformation programmes to which the PMOs played central role in covering interfaces, upstream to Executive Management and other Directorates, as well as downstream to delivery by Alliance organisations. He is currently Director at the DAnton progm Consultancy. He is a guest lecturer/speaker at UK Universities and International conferences, a member of the International Centre for Complex Project Management and reviewer on various project management Journals. *Part 1 of this article was published in ICCPM’s March 2018 CONNECT e-Magazine.
In Part 1 I proposed that in Partnering, where a number of parties come together, a number of interfaces need to be managed to successfully deliver projects or programmes of work. I noted that these interfaces cause complexity; however its effects can be managed by understanding and addressing the individual characteristics. I also gave the description of some of these characteristics as defined by C. Lucas. In Part 2, and based on my earlier research as well as actual implementation of this approach to processes in a partnering environment, we will look at deciphering the generic description of those characteristics and adapting them to be more relevant to partnering. Then I will propose actions that will aim to maximise or minimise the effect of the characteristic for a beneficial outcome. In partnering, as with any similar collaboration initiative, the realities that each individual brings to the environment are based on their past experiences. The challenge is even greater if these experiences have been based in failed attempts. Therefore, and in order to manage the effects of complexity, the actions to be implemented through the relevant characteristic need to take into account these
BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
past experiences. Also, one should consider that effective and accepted change happens from ‘bottom-up’ (D.Bentley, ‘Choosing to Change’). Therefore, when coming together to form partnerships all parties need to allow for self-organisation and the teams / organisations must be allowed to facilitate emergence. This is not as easy when considering the majority of cases in construction projects where the ‘rule of contract’ prevails and relationships many times are polarised by the implementation of contract terms. ICCPM’s Research Project 3: Contracting For Success in Complex Projects , which formed the basis for the 2016 International Roundtable Series of the same name, identified the need for a shift to collaborative contracting – Partnering. In the December 17 issue of ICCPM Connect magazine John Davies in his article ‘Collaborative Contracting in complex environments’ says that ISO 44001:2017, under collaborative behaviours, offers a model for collaborative business relationship management systems. However, he continues, we have to remember that
“
Some contract provisions, such as remuneration strategies and risk allocation frameworks may make it exceptionally difficult to drive these positive behaviours’. He indicates that ‘adopting collaborative approaches is not just a simple matter of drafting relationship ICCPMaCONNECT | 9 management plan.
ARTICLES as chaos theory says we are always a part of the problem. As we are dealing with complex adaptive systems and transdisciplinary teams from different partners, at all levels not just senior management, we will have to consider the challenges caused by the interfaces. One of the common mistakes identified in dealing with Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) is the tendency to act in an authoritarian way and this has always been the case in construction – reverting to authoritarian ways backed by contract Ts&Cs. As soon as the first obstacle occurs companies revert to contract terms, confirming what Davies has indicated. What one has to have in mind is that CASs are constantly modifying and rearranging / changing their components in response to feedback from the environment and this is clearly noticeable in all construction projects. On the following page (see Table 1) I have selected four of the five characteristics described in Part 1 and in addition to Lucas’ description I have added my ‘translation/adaptation’ to fit the partnering requirements. Then I suggest actions to be considered and whether the effect of the relevant complexity characteristic needs to be minimised or maximised in order to achieve the required result. The actions to be considered are not restrictive. This approach, through the framework, allows for flexibility so that responses can be adapted to the environment. Another variant to be considered is the frequency with which actions need to be periodically reviewed and re-implemented. This is so that changes to personnel, circumstances and other influences can be reflected. The process of reviewing the effects of complexity characteristics should remain ‘live’. It is
not a one-off process. Another point to consider is establishing a holistic view of the issues and actions to be implemented. The proposed approach, using the complexity characteristics to manage its effects, is advantageous because it is flexible and can be applied to any environment. It is not a ‘tight straight jacket’’. It can fit the working environment since the proposed actions can be adjusted according to the different organisational environments or the project stage. It also allows for corrective actions to be implemented. The framework enables teams to adjust the implementation speed as well as progressively monitor and comment on the result of the actions implemented. The more detailed description of the approach and sample outputs and the case of using the Framework for Managing Complexity of Interconnections (F4MCI) as a decision making tool have been described in the ICCPM Compendium. References: ICCPM ‘Global Perspectives and the Strategic Agenda to 2025 – Compendium of Working papers’, Part V: Managing Complexity of Interactions in Projects: A Framework for Decision Making’ Lucas, C. (2000) The Philosophy of Complexity. www.calersco.org. Downloaded in August 2005. Bentley, D. (2018) ‘Choosing to Change. An alternative understanding of Change Management’ Routledge. New York. ICCPM Connect Magazine December 2017 issue.
Dr. D Antoniadis is the author of the book ‘Demystifying Project Control’ that is available from Amazon. It is available* for readers to purchase here. The book is for all project practitioners and in addition to plenty of examples on standard project management structures it describes the wider issues of project control from departmental, to the use of software systems, complexity and how it affects the outputs.
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ICCPM CONNECT | 11
Table 1 - Complexity Characteristics and Actions to be Considered.
ARTICLES Defining and Understanding Liminality to Improve Project Management in Complex Change Environments David Kretschmer David is based in Canberra, Australia. He has many years’ experience in delivering high-profile strategic, business and ICT change in Australia and the UK, and has a passion for delivering strategy, policy and ICT initiatives into complex organisational environments. You can contact him via www.linkedin.com/in/davekk/ I would like to share my new favourite word with you - liminality. The increasing complexities of project management have been much discussed. There are greater uncertainties in the delivery environment, stakeholder personalities, emergent objectives and so on. Programs and projects are seen as determinate, going from a current-state to an end-state. But this view doesn’t always align with the realities of project management. The rational model of time, cost, and quality in a controlled environment is a distant memory for many seasoned project managers. We are now in the world of agile delivery, emergent change theories, participatory strategy development, complex risk theories, dominant narratives, emotional intelligence, disruptive and unpredictable environments; Uncertainty is the new norm.
Liminality Liminality is the state of ambiguity during a time of transition, being any given point “betwixt”: between the previous and future state. A colleague eloquently described liminality as ‘when an organisation leaves Point A which then ceases to exist, but Point B is a long way away, not yet defined and may never be reached’. Liminality comes from the Latin word limen, meaning “a threshold”, and is traditionally applied to the ambiguity or disorientation that occurs in the middle stage of rites, when participants no longer 12 | ICCPM CONNECT
hold their pre-ritual status but have not yet begun the transition to the status they will hold when the rite is complete. More recently, usage of the term has broadened to describe political, organisational and cultural change.
So what? Defining and understanding the concept of liminality can improve our understanding of project management in complex change environments and enables the framing of discussion about skills, learning, practices, and leadership. For example: • The paradox of rational project/change management in liminal environments. • Roles and competencies of project managers and change leaders in liminal environments. • Behaviours and politics in liminal environments. • Management practices for liminal environments. • Encouraging creativity and innovation in liminal environments. Liminality can even help describe the challenges project managers face: • When they are in a liminal position between their consulting firm and the employing organisation, who are not fully in or out of organisational boundaries.
BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
• When they are in a liminal position in their careers, as they transition from their specialism (e.g. engineering, nursing) to being a project manager/leader. • The feeling of being lost or stuck after a project ends.
Key characteristics of liminality Two key characteristics make the concept of liminality relevant for project managers:
• Standard project controls (planning, risk, quality management etc) will always be required, but will need to be tailored and applied appropriately. • A new mindset is needed that views change projects as infinite rather than finite activities. For example, how do project managers predict and ‘manage’ risk in complex and unpredictable environments?
• Tension - the complexity, fragmentation, and change in liminal environments often leads to tensions that simultaneously pull project managers in multiple directions, priorities or loyalties
Or how do business leaders guide their teams through change where the current-state is unstable (liminal) and the end-state is ill-defined?
• Uncertainty - unstable organisational structures, opaque definition of the future state, evolving relationships and stakeholders, fluid organisational and project boundaries, will generate fear of change and competition to exploit opportunities amongst individuals, which in turn create turbulence for project managers.
ICCPM CONNECT has cultivated many great articles on defining complexity and the personal traits required for successful leadership of complex projects.
Why is this relevant to project managers?
Where to next?
The concept of ‘liminality’ presents a new paradigm for project leadership and management, and helps frame the different types of strategies and personal competencies required to succeed in complex environments. One which I hope contributes to the ongoing discussion and debate across our community.
Understanding the concept of liminality leads to a number of considerations: • Some project managers will excel in liminal environments, applying their tradecraft and personalities to conceptualise, facilitate, guide, and lead for project success. • Stakeholders will respond differently to tension and uncertainty, affecting the levels of comfort (i.e. risk appetite, control), bias, and support they provide to projects. • Innovation can flourish in liminal environments, exploiting the changes in norms and standards, but project managers need ways to facilitate and encourage it. • Dealing with ambiguity and fuzzy assignments are increasingly important skills for project managers, who will need to combine self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and proactive behaviour to manage tensions, uncertainties, and innovation. • The ability to identify and respond to the (internal and external) disruptive forces within liminal environments is critical, despite these forces often being unpredictable and unmanageable. BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
References For those interested, my reading list includes: Guess who’s coming to dinner? Structures and uses of liminality in strategic management consultancy [Sturdy, Schwarz, Spicer, 2006] Liminality at Work - Mobile Project Workers In-Between [Borg, 2014] Project managers on the edge: Liminality and identity in the management of technical work [Paton, Hodgson, 2016]
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2018 ICCPM ROUNDTABLE SERIES
CANADA - SYDNEY NEW ZEALAND - UK BRISBANE - MELBOURNE CANBERRA
#ICCPMRT2018
Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers and supporters who without your involvement and participation in the series, we would not have achieved the outcomes necessary for an insightful Thought Leadership Publication. Roundtable White Paper Publication to be published 2019. Series Partner
Event Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Media Sponsors
Series Sponsor 14 | ICCPM CONNECT
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ICCPM 2018 International Roundtable Series A one-day facilitated event which bought together the collective wisdom of the participants to share perspectives on the topic: Project leadership in large scale complex projects. Dates: 1 May - Sydney, Australia 22 June - Ottawa, Canada 26 June - Windsor, UK
03 August - Brisbane, Australia 03 September - Canberra, Australia 21 September - Melbourne, Australia
Delegates - Who was involved? ICCPM and John Grill Centre Members and partners and invited guests from our respective sponsors’ network, including: Project or organisation Executives, Directors, Board Members, Group Head’s, and Senior Leaders from a range of industries, including public and private organisations. Roundtable participants were asked to consider the following: • Explore how we might encourage and increase board level participation in the execution of good project leadership. • Explore how we might encourage and increase board level participation in the selection of a good project leaders and their teams. • Explore and design what complex project leadership capabilities might look like. • Share examples and case studies of exemplar leadership of complex projects. • Explore how project leaders could/should deal with uncertainty and ambiguity. • Explore how leaders create highly networked groups that coalesce to make a significant impact on the overall carriage of the project. • Explore how executive decision makers (leaders) might create a project environment that encourages innovation, commitment, increased risk appetite and accountability. Preliminary questions discussed: • How do we create an ecosystem of collaborative leadership where leaders at multiple levels of the organisation and across organisations are aligned so that innovation is encouraged and value is optimised? • Explore how an organisation can create a culture of leadership, instead of merely develop individual leaders. • How do we enable project leaders to speak up when they feel ‘in over their heads’, and what sort of support will help them navigate complex project situations that lie beyond their current capability? • If leadership is so often a contributor to project failure, how can we prevent that (1) the learnings are not lost because of fearfulness to be critical of leaders and (2) learning reviews are not used as weapons to scapegoat leaders? Outcomes The principal outcomes being a clear definition of necessary action to be taken to address identified issues in relation to project leadership in complex projects. An outcomes paper will be published at the conclusion of the series.
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ICCPM CONNECT | 15
ICCPM 2018 International Roundtable Series Roundtable Highlights Report An Interactive View - Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne ICCPM would like to thank Robert Lamb, participant at the Melbourne Roundtable event for creating an interactive mindmap showcasing a high-level summary of his perception of the discussions of the Melbourne Roundtable Event. Using an application called Plectica, Robert has successfully managed to capture key conversations and points in a manner that demonstrates the subjective views expressed in a pluralistic context; the heart of what leaders have to navigate in complex projetc environments. The tool Robert used allows you to interact with the various parts (nodes) of the mind map linking discussion points together in a sort of System of Systems network map or interactive graphic, as it tells the story of key points raised and the various non-linear interconnectedness and interdependence of the component parts that make up the mind map. Robert says, he likes maps like these because they can be used to surface subjective views, which can then be compared, combined, synthesised, tested or respectfully disagreed with. A very appropriate tool for navigating complexity and a very well-constructed mind map on the discussion topic. Well worth a look at if you would like a high level summary of the series discussion to date. View Robert’s interactive map here.
Catch Up on the DiscussionHear it for yourselves! We are excited to announce that as part of our NEW offerings, we are launching the ICCPM Exchange Lounge! This is a media rich environment through which you can access podcasts, videos and webinars. Initiating this, is the 2018 Roundtable Catch Up. Hear from senior delegates at the Melbourne Roundtable discussing key highlights from the event and future opportunities for in-depth discussion and research on crucial points raised. Listen here.
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What’s happening next? Although the discussion piece is now underwrap, there is still work to be done! Over the coming months ICCPM, with the help of our Series Partner the John Grill Centre for Project Leadership, will begin transcribing the discussions from all our 2018 Roundtable locations. Through this process we will be able to identify: • Challenges in complex project leadership • The Burning Issues to be addressed • Leadership Competencies of Complex Project Leaders • The role of governance and working together • Addressing digital disruption, innovation and ‘big data’ impact on leading for success. • Recommendations for further research • Actions for Business and Teams
Opportunity to Contribute! Does this Thought Leadership interest you? Do you want to help collate the outcomes and present the findings? ICCPM will happily welcome volunteers to help with the collating, review and editing of the 2018 Roundtable Series White Paper Publication. Please contact us at admin@iccpm.com to find out more.
Thanks to our recently signed sponsors: Event Sponsor (Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne) Bright Consulting Committed to helping you for the long term, and Bright works in partnership with teams to deliver the best possible results; Bright consultants are dedicated to managing and tracking your project milestones, and providing honest feedback. All consultants have extensive experience with a variety of leading-edge project management tools, but can accommodate your in-house or preferred tools just as easily. We follow best practice project management methodologies, including PMP, Prince2, Agile, MSP and many more. Find out more at brightconsulting.com.
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ARTICLE The Power of Systems Thinking Patrick Albina Patrick Albina is the Founder & Director of Quintessential Consulting, a Queensland-based company helping today’s business leaders become less reliant on certainty. Backed up by more than 25 years of experience, Patrick enables his clients to unlock their potential through a mindset shift, which makes it possible to operate effectively in the grey space of decision-making. By disrupting conventional patterns of thinking, Patrick supports his clients to see and act in different ways, revealing new possibilities that are otherwise unavailable in the status quo. Patrick is also an ICCPM course facilitator for the Certificate IV in Responding to Organisational Complexity.
This is a classic story that I tell when facilitating workshops and delivering presentations to demonstrate the power of Systems Thinking. The story is about an office building in New York where tenants were complaining about long elevator waiting times. Occupants began complaining about the poor elevator service at peak hours, where they said that the wait times were excessively long. Several of the tenants even threatened to break their leases and move out of the building because of this. A study was urgently conducted to identify the best solution. The study revealed that because of the age of the building, no engineering solution could be justified economically and that the building occupants would just have to live with the problem permanently. The desperate building manager called a meeting of his staff. On his team was a recent graduate in psychology. Accordingly, the young man was able to consider the problem from a different perspective to that of the engineers. He had not focused on elevator performance, but instead on the fact that people complained about waiting. In actual fact, the waiting time was only a few minutes. Why, he asked himself, were they complaining about waiting for only a very short time?
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He concluded that the complaints were a consequence of boredom, not necessarily elevator performance. Therefore, he took the problem to be one of giving those waiting something to occupy their time pleasantly. He suggested installing mirrors in the elevator lobby areas so that those waiting could subtly look at each other and/or themselves. The manager took up his suggestion.
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The installation of mirrors was made quickly This is summed up very nicely by one of my and at a relatively low cost. The complaints favourite quotes by Abraham Maslow… about waiting stopped. Today, mirrors in elevator lobbies and even on elevators in tall buildings are commonplace. The process of Systems Thinking helps you to take into account all of the behaviours of a system as a whole, within the context of the environment in which it exists. Furthermore, it enables you to see the influences and the interdependencies between all the factors at play. Systems Thinking offers us perspectives and a range of solutions that would otherwise be unavailable to us if we limit ourselves to conventional thinking. By investigating the underlying patterns, structures and assumptions that lead to an event rather than focusing on trying to solve the perceived problem associated with the event, we are able to discover a range of options rather than just a narrow pathway that we assume to be the single right solution.
I often make the point in my workshops that in the conventionally thinking world, an event or occurrence is seen as a problem to be solved.
In the Systems Thinking world, an event or occurrence is merely symptomatic of deeper issues. In my story, conventional thinking may have led to a very expensive and perhaps ineffective solution by defaulting to the option of a physical ‘fix’. However the young graduate’s ability to identify the deeper factors that underpinned the perceived problem enabled a quick, effective and relatively cost efficient Addressing many of the challenges we en- solution to be implemented. So next time you counter requires us to adopt a Systems Think- are taking the elevator, take a moment to look ing mindset given the complex nature of the in the mirror and ask yourself, “…can I afford world in which it life and work. Failure to do not to think in systems?” this when attempting change, whether behavioural, organisational, or personal, may lead to temporary success, but it eventually ends up as a reversal back to the original situation.
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ARTICLE The Importance of Visualisation in Complex Projects Bob Laslett
CEng FEI FIET HonFAPM FACostE FCMI FRSA FIoD
Bob Laslett is Managing Director of Laslett International Limited, an Individual Member of the ICCPM, a Chartered Engineer with over 40 years’ experience in the energy, process and offshore oil and gas industries. A recognised expert in project management and project planning of complex capital projects for energy, petrochemicals, offshore oil/gas, shipbuilding, infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Bob acts as an Expert Witness for delay and project management on major complex dispute cases. The plethora of technology today, particularly social media makes it attractive to use for everyone, with software applications and social media being user friendly and easy to use. However, planning a complex project is not simple. The role of project planning is crucial to the success of a project from start to finish. There are millions of projects in progress every day including ever more complex projects. Projects must be delivered successfully if they are to benefit business and the developing world we live in. It is therefore paramount that project management must be the top priority.
and professional way that accurately reflects the project objectives, do they need more on the job (involved on a project) experience? So, are they being short changed when it comes to live ‘on the project’ experience?
Until the late 1960’s when apprentices were still at the forefront of engineering and construction, upcoming engineers were introduced to the world of work on the job or being directly involved in a project. There were no lecture rooms, no 10,000 word essays, no dissertation, etc. One of the reasons apprenticeships have been so respected throughout history is because of their close association with Guilds. Project failures are a disaster for governments, Guilds in the UK enjoy considerable influence businesses and people. So despite an ever within their community and in the past exerted changing world we live in why are projects still a strong influence on apprenticeships. over-running? Now more than ever an increasing number of graduates are entering industry and commerce but is their lack of on the job experience having a detrimental effect on projects when it should be beneficial to the process of delivering projects successfully? Graduates are being more involved in supporting the project manager and in the production of plans for billions of $’s work. Are graduates coming through university being taught how to manage projects in a structured
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Whilst there is no argument that the graduates of today are continuously improving industry and commerce with their intellect, they may not have a full understanding of the detail of an actual project in order to reasonably contribute from project kick-off.
conflict or disagreement and hence help to accommodate changes or variations to a project as it progresses thus reducing the opportunity of ending up in court.
Having been involved in many dispute cases especially those of a complex technical nature Combined with the lack of on a project expe- it is obvious that these are very challenging for rience there is often pressure to be successful all concerned particularly for those who were when it comes to bidding for projects. The not actually involved in the project or are not pressure to win a contract often means that an experts in the specific case subject but in its unrealistic schedule is being created. legal and contractual interpretation. Projects are said to be ‘fast-track’ projects, why? Is this realistic. We do ‘front end loading’, Why? We do ‘risk assessments’ but we still manage to fail.
We have found that using a more visual approach significantly helps as it makes it easier to demonstrate to both stakeholders and to those who may be non-technical but if involved in a dispute need to fully understand the links, The question is do we understand a project suf- interaction, causes, effects that occurred on ficiently at the outset, is the objective(s) clearly a project as it progressed. A more visual apvisible to all involved or are we hiding behind proach significantly helps to clarify a coma misconceived contracting philosophy, maybe plex project and on a dispute case can clearly one that is flawed or has us believing that us- demonstrate cause and effect of delays etc. ing sub-contractors will fill our knowledge gaps or even obscuring our lack of appropriate resources. Is it because we do not plan the project properly or in sufficient detail that projects are delayed, over-run, exceed the budget, etc. Do we not put sufficient time and effort into the planning before the project starts e.g. in the proposal phase?
VCM Index is a new application developed by Laslett International which assists with planning of complex projects through visualisation and linking. It allows everyone involved in the project to share project data and collaborate on line in real-time.
The world is advancing faster than ever so is there enough focus on education and training to ensure it is aligned with what industry needs Should a project end in dispute then VCM Ingoing forward. Especially with the increase in dex organises case information through visual complex projects. structures thus allowing the legal team to present the case information through a visual story telling mode.
Our own experience in delivering projects has shown that using a more visual approach especially in the linking of subject matter, items and technical issues, etc. reduces the potential for
BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
VCM Index facilitates the linking of all the components and elements of a project and simplifies exploring detail at all levels of the project. VCM Index can visually assist in the successful execution and delivery of complex projects it can also significantly help and support those involved in any dispute case.
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Book Review Scrappy Project Management: The 12 Predictable and Avoidable Pitfalls Every Project Faces. Author: Kimberly Wiefling; Publisher: Happy About CA USA, 2007. Reviewed by: Dr Phil Crosby FICCPM
While this book is not new, it has newly come to my attention after the effervescent author gave a keynote presentation at the PMI Australia Conference in May this year. Being something of a scholar myself of predictable project factors of success and failure, it was the sub-title that grabbed my attention. The first aspect of this softcover, 140 page, book, is the writing style. Almost at once, the author engages well with the project practitioner, using language that weaves between formal advice and a more folksy (and often humorous) manner when describing scenarios that would resonate with just about all project leaders. The graphics too are appealing in that checklists and flowcharts etc. are not a boring collection of boxes and arrows, but largely free-hand sketches which demonstrate that a ‘scrappy’ style loses nothing in effectiveness, and in fact, can garner better attention through simplicity. Following an introduction to the topic, Wiefling launches into the 12 predictable and avoidable errors that she argues most often bring projects to their knees. Dedicating a chapter to each, she deals firstly with the thorny themes of; customer attention, shared goals, communications, responsibilities, planning and risk awareness. These topics get a thorough work-out before moving on to chapters covering not-so-obvious areas e.g. priorities, change management, false assumptions, expectations management, lessons ‘not learned’, and project closure. The author adds a final chapter which might be called “call to action”. This summarises the main ideas of the book with a motivating tone. Not only did I find this book a pleasure to read, I learned something from it too, and if I may say so, I heartily concur with Wiefling’s summation. This is not a book for the PM’s library; it’s a practical handbook that should be on the PM’s desk, and probably the desks of her team leader’s too. And I love the statement “If you fail, fail in new and exciting ways!” Buy this book through Amazon here.
Dr Philip Crosby is Assistant Director: Strategic Planning & Major Project Specialist for one of CSIRO’s National Facilities. He holds a PhD in high-technology mega-projects, on which he continues to lecture and publish widely on the topic. He is the author of the popular eBook “Success in Large High Technology Projects What Really Works” published by the ICCPM. See next page. 22 | ICCPM CONNECT
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Success in Large High Technology Projects -What Really Works Author: Dr Phil Crosby FICCPM Complex and demanding mega-projects are characterised (or in some cases plagued) by new and risky engineering technologies, daunting infrastructure, and staggering budgets. Do concept reviews, funding approval, or early stage planning take advantage of success indicators based on learning from relevant past experience? Does such knowledge actually exist? And is there any evidence that early stage project development is more effective when armed with such information? This book answers these questions and more! It also provides a checklist to make sure your next project, high technology or otherwise is a success. This book has been published by the ICCPM and is available through Amazon here.
Call for Book Reviews Do you have a Recommended Leading list you would like to share with others? Have you recently come across a publication that really stood out to you? We would like to invite readers share their thoughts, opinions and highlights of books that have provided valuable teachings and insights, to share with the ICCPM community. Reviewers may be Academics or Project Practitioners, with targeted commentary to scholars in the field or practitioners. Benefits to the reviewer: Profile visibility to ICCPM’s international readership when the review is published, possibility to earn CPD points with other PM institutions* Benefits to ICCPM and our community: service to ICCPM community through knowledge sharing initiative, good content for CONNECT Magazine. Interested? Contact marcomms@iccpm.com *CPD points awarded in accordance with relevant institutions CPD requirements.
BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
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RESEARCH UPDATE PMI Pulse of the Profession 2018; In-depth Report Published In September, the Project Management Institute (PMI) published their in-depth report outlining key findings and feedback from their Pulse of the Profession Survey 2018, which focused on Developing Digital-Age Project Management Skills to Thrive in Disruptive Times. Here at ICCPM we are excited about the project industry recognising the need for, and embracing, the power of people, new methodologies and tools to support the successful completion of projects in the 21st Century. The following are some of the key takeaways we have taken from this report: 1. The most commonly cited new skills organisations are seeking and striving to develop are soft skills at 45%! 2. High performing project organisations need to be using multiple approaches including collaborative platforms and work management tools, along with emerging, hybrid, and traditional methods to help increase project success. 3. Adopting a formal, documented career path for project leaders needs to become a priority to generate a workforce of leaders. Internal and external opportunities for development need to available to foster this change. 4. Project organisations must nurture a culture that encourages project managers to undertake flexible practices that are adaptive to the projects evolving environment and allow the project to succeed in disruptive times. Through our new membership and training offerings, ICCPM will continue to provide the training, resources and member support to help our project community step up to the disruption challenge! “The future of project management will require organizations and individuals alike to embrace a full spectrum of competencies and approaches. Businesses must be agile and quick to adapt in our rapidly evolving and highly competitive environment. PMI research shows that building a truly digital skillset today requires a combination of skills. These include data science, an innovative mindset, security and privacy knowledge, legal and regulatory compliance knowledge, the ability to make data-driven decisions and collaborative leadership. Innovator organizations that value the digital shift are creating a culture that views disruption as an opportunity to enable dexterity.� The Project Manager of the Future: Developing Digital-Age Project Management Skills to Thrive In Disruptive Times (2018). Download the full report here.
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EDUCATION UPDATE
ICCPM Re-Launching Training and Development Offerings! Offering flexible learning to meet your needs, ICCPM will be providing a range of integrated learning platforms across traditional and new education mediums, to help you become a leading edge practitioner in your field. We have a mix of Accredited Qualifications, Non-Accredited short courses and peer supported webinar workshops that will be available to our community regardless of your location! Our courses and workshops align with best practice principles to enhance your personal professional development and aid organisational learning opportunities.
EDUCATION
STARTING NOVEMBER 2018
Courses and workshops you can expect to see delivered in 2019: • • • •
Complexity Awareness Leadership and team development Generational Project Management Risk and Decision Making in Complex Environments
All of ICCPM’s short courses are also offered as custom private in-house deliveries. Find out more and contact the training team. Is your area of interest missing on this list? Contact us at training@iccpm.com to make suggestions on the training topics you would like to see offered by ICCPM.
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NEW SHORT COURSES Managing Messy Problems (1 Day)
This workshop addresses the problems in your organisation that just don’t seem to go away. It introduces Polarity Mapping as a way to understand the sometimes hidden forces of opposing values (interdependent pairs) at work in organisations and people. You will learn how to surface these forces, map them graphically with a tool called the Polarity Map, and how to manage them. Polarity Management helps leaders and their organisations more efficiently and more sustainably reach their goals.
Workshop Outline In this workshop you will learn to: • Recognise how value of interdependent pairs in organisations and individuals come in polarities. • Approach intractable problems as polarities to manage rather than problems to solve. • Identify particular polarities that need to be managed in your organisation. • Use the Polarity Map as a way to visualise and diagnose current reality. • Identify early warnings and action steps that can be managed through the Polarity Map. • Gain practice in using Polarity Thinking and the Polarity Map Graphic. Upcoming Courses - Find Out More and Enrol • Sydney, 27 November • Canberra, 20 November • Melbourne, 22 November
Systems Thinking for Complex Environments (2 Days)
Systems thinking is way to make sense of a complex environments, giving attention to exploring the relationships, boundaries and perspectives in the system. It is a mental framework that helps us to become better problem solvers. As system thinkers we can find ways to shift or recombine the parts in the system to offer an improved outcome to the “whole”rather than working in static parts. This workshop will provide an introduction to the importance of Systems Thinking in Complex Environments. Participants will learn how on a broad level the importance of holistic thinking highlighted through case studies, and learn some of the essential approaches to improved decision making and improved leadership capability.
Follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletter or visit our website for upcoming course launch dates!
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Short Courses Training Calendar 2018 Dates
Details
Location
20 November 2018
Managing Messy Problems
Canberra
TBA March 2019
Managing Messy Problems and Systems Thinking in Complex Environments
22 November 2018
Managing Messy Problems
TBA May 2019
Managing Messy Problems and Systems Thinking in Complex Environments
27 November 2018
Managing Messy Problems
TBA June 2019
Managing Messy Problems and Systems Thinking in Complex Environments
Taking Expressions of Interest
Melbourne
Sydney
Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth
ENROL TODAY for your preferred location here. Questions? Contact our friendly training team at training@iccpm.com or 02 6120 5110
Information Sessions Information sessions will be offered 45 minutes via Webinar, covering both our Certificate IV and NEW short courses. Tune in to find out how ICCPM can help you develop your skills and advance your professional development. Opportunity to ask questions and get immediate answers! All information sessions are FREE to attend however registrations are essential. Register for our next session: 01 November 2018, 1:30pmAEDT. Follow us on social media and monitor your emails for information about upcoming sessions.
LinkedIn: International Centre For Complex Project Management Twitter: @iccpm BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS Phone: +61 2 6120 5110
ICCPM CONNECT | 27
EDUCATION UPDATE $99M LOST for every $1B spent 78% of Projects are deemed to have medium-high levels of Complexity
70% of Major Projects Fail due to poor project management (PMI Pulse of the Profession 2016 & 2017)
Decision Making, Problem Solving, Communication and Leadership
are deemed the most important skills for the Australian program and project administrator industry. ICCPM’s specialist qualification in Organisational Complexity was developed with endorsement and support from a range of industry and government parties and leaders. Our new training and development offerings have emerged as part of our stakeholder engagement strategy. ICCPM has addressed training and development opportunities based on consultation with individuals and organisations, to help best meet their needs to achieve successful project delivery.
Certificate IV in Responding to Organisational Complexity AN AIPM ENDORSED COURSE! AIPM endorses project management courses that align with industry and current best practice and enhance the profession. Due to the rigorous application requirements set by AIPM for courses to be endorsed, ICCPM students are assured that the Certificate IV in Responding to Organisational Complexity (10195NAT) is one the most relevant, recognised and acknowledged programs available to project professionals. Your efforts to advance your professional development is recognised with a Nationally Recognised qualification (RTO # 41394) and opportunity to earn up to 40 CPD Points!* upon course completion. Find Out More and Enrol! *CPD points available to AIPM & PMI members subject to each organisations requirements. 28 | ICCPM CONNECT
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Congratulations to Our Graduates! Congratulations to the most recent group of ICCPM students who have successfully completed the Certificate IV in Responding to Organisational Complexity. Jennifer Burgess
Mark Yates
Phillip Gowlett
Hsiao (Ching) Forshaw
Darren Cefai
Roy Henry
Kerry Collins
Blair Porteous
Michael Barr Wayne Vickers
EDUCATION
Timothy Pellatt
Congratulations is also due to Martin Cleasby-Jones who received a Statement of Attainment for successfully completing his ICCPM studies in Identify and Respond to Complexity in Project Environments.
ICCPM Cert IV Training Calendar 2018 Cert IV in Responding to Organisational Complexity Dates
Details
Location
12 - 14 February 2019
Complexity in Project Environments
Melbourne
1 - 2 April 2019
Risk and Decision Making in Complex Environments
25 - 26 June 2019
Lead Through Organisational Complexity
6 - 8 February 2019
Complexity in Project Environments
9 - 10 April 2019
Risk and Decision Making in Complex Environments
4 - 5 June 2019
Lead Through Organisational Complexity
26 - 28 February 2019
Complexity in Project Environments
19 - 20 March 2019
Risk and Decision Making in Complex Environments
7 - 8 May 2019
Lead Through Organisational Complexity
Taking Expressions of Interest
Canberra
Sydney
Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth
ENROL TODAY for your preferred location here. Questions? Contact our friendly training team at training@iccpm.com or 02 6120CAPABILITY 5110 BUILDING IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
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ICCPM NETWORK
Membership Programs See What’s New We asked, you answered and now we have listened. As part of the ICCPM makeover we gave everyone in our community the opportunity to take part in our 2019 Membership Program Survey. Our participants contributed insightful feedback and comments surrounding how ICCPM could help with career development, organisation training and community knowledge sharing.
Updates to Individual Membership Benefits! We want our members to get the most out of their ICCPM membership, that’s why we’ve made some updates. ICCPM members will now be eligible for: • • • • • • •
NEW Discounts on non-member events; NEW Discounts across ICCPM’s training offerings, including the Certificate IV in Responding to Organisational Complexity; Increased access to exclusive ICCPM resources; NEW access to media rich knowledge sharing through the ICCPM Exchange Lounge (coming soon); NEW Discounts on ICCPM Complexity Tools; Increased opportunity to lead ICCPM Special Interest Groups; Easier access to volunteer opportunities which can be used towards your AIPM RegPM scheme*.
Introducing ICCPM Organisation Membership! Greater opportunity for businesses of all sizes and across all sectors to take advantage of ICCPM’s member benefits, whilst gaining brand exposure and demonstrating commitment to professional development for staff.
Visit our website to view membership options. 30 | ICCPM CONNECT
*Conditions apply, refer to AIPM CPD Category and points table.
BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
ICCPM Welcomes New Members Sean Lacey
Peter Ashworth
Paul Callender
Gerard Martin Kieran Davis
Adam Costantini Nathan Herrmann
Michelle Dawe Diana Atkinson-Cave
Graham Colborne
Katrina Lawlor
Lisa Macdonald
Henry Ha
Grant Williams
Sarah Jane Malcolm
Steven Pulman Bob Laslett David Hulett
Samir Is-hak Nathan Krasny
David Hughes
Paul Butcher
Prospective Member or Current Member; Jump on our ICCPM Membership Webinar! What will be covered: • • • •
ICCPM’s Re-Vamp and What it Means for You Learn About our New Membership Offerings The Benefits Low Down - What’s in it for you. How to Get the Most From Your Membership • Current Members - How Will the Changes Affect You? 45 Minute webinar covering our new offerings and opportunity to ask questions to our membership team. Register for our next session: 13 November 2018, 1:30pmAEDT. Follow us on social media, subscribe to our newsletter or visit our website for upcoming events. BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
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ICCPM NETWORK
ICCPM Member Profile Graham Colborne
Graham Colborne has been formally involved in project management leadership since 1999. As a practitioner, he has designed and improved several PMOs and delivered complex programs in a variety of industry sectors and locations around the world. He has also provided training to Executives and Senior Management as well as practitioners on the principles of best practice across the disciplines. However, his influence has extended well beyond the workplace, and he acts as an Ambassador for the project management profession. He has also presented on various project management topics at conferences around Australia. He was invited to present a case study on the PMO that he built for Silver Chain at the APMG Australasia Best Practice Showcase in Sydney, and the design of this PMO is still used as an example of best practice at Edith Cowan University for Masters of Project Management Students. Colborne is a Mentor for project management disciplines for both the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Australian Institute of Management (AIM). In 2011 he was invited to join PMI’s Global Executive Council an elite body of just over 70 senior professionals from around the world, as a representative for Barrick Gold (Australia-Pacific.) Barrick was one of only two Australian members of the council. In 2013 Colborne received the PMI Australia National “Distinguished Contribution” award from his peers, for services to the project management profession and was invited to be a judge for the 2018 Global PMO Awards. He was one of the two Australian reviewers for the International Standard “Management of Portfolios,” and in 2016 he was accredited as a PMI “Portfolio Management Professional” (PfMP) being only the 10th in Australia to obtain the accreditation. He is also a Project Management Professional (PMP) and; a Registered Practitioner in PRINCE2, Managing Successful Programmes (MSP), Management of Portfolios (MoP) and Portfolio, Programme and Project Offices (P3O). Colborne was elected President of the PMI Western Australia Chapter and has served as Vice President of the Chapter twice, and as Membership Director once and has taken on many other roles (such as presenting to Masters of Project Management students at Curtin University) at other times. He has been awarded fellowships from the Association for Project Management and the Australian Institute of Management and is a member of the Project Management Institute, the Australian Computer Society, and the British Computer Society. “Earlier this year, I was invited to the ICCPM 2018 Roundtable Series - Sydney Event. I found the session very interesting and enjoyed interacting with the other participants. I also found ICCPM’s reports to be extremely informative. I value the opportunity my ICCPM membership gives me to contribute to these important discussions, whilst benefiting from the networking opportunities.” 32 | ICCPM CONNECT
BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
ICCPM Fellow Profile Dan Ross (Canada)
Dan Ross brings over 40 years of experience as a military leader, senior public service officer and teacher to the field of complex project management. He holds a BSc in mathematics from the University of Saskatchewan and is a graduate of Canada’s National Defence College and the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College. In the rank of Brigadier-General, he served as the deputy Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister for three years. From 2002 to 2012 he served as an Assistant Deputy Minister with Public Works and Government Services Canada and National Defence, the last seven as Assistant Deputy Minister Materiel where he led eleven multi-billion-dollar defence programs through to Government Approval. In 2010, he was awarded the Head of the Public Service Award for Management Excellence. He currently delivers a 20-day Certificate in Complex Project and Procurement Leadership at the Telfer School of Management of the University of Ottawa. He is also a visiting professor to the Masters of Business in Complex Project Leadership at Telfer. “I am honoured to be an ICCPM Fellow. The work of ICCPM has been a key enabler to our journey to improve the project management skills of Canadian government project managers, primarily in the defence field, but increasingly with other federal agencies and Canadian industry. Although I have been directly involved in the business of delivering capability since the early 1980s, as I teach and participate in the academic work of the Telfer School of Management, I learn new concepts, ideas, and view points with every conversation. It is such a truly complex and broad field of endeavour that there really is no point where anyone can say they are now an expert. I value enormously the opportunities that being a Fellow with ICCPM brings, both as a contributor but as well the access to advice and support from our colleagues at ICCPM.”
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INTERESTING LINKS
Creativity and the Role of the Leader Harvard Business Review
How Environmental and Organizational Complexity Affects Opportunity Recognition in Development Projects
Knowledge Management MPA Highlights Report
Academic Research
Ethical Leadership: Complexity, Context and Adaptation
Leading Organizational Transformations McKinsey Quarterly
Leading in Context How to Learn From Mistakes Mind Tools
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UPCOMING EVENTS Event Calendar - find out more on any event below and register Dates
Title
Location
26 October 2018
ICCPM and GAPPS - Complex Project Manager Competency Standards Review International Project Management Day
Canberra
05 November 2018
ICCPM and GAPPS - Complex Project Manager Competency Standards Review
Sydney
01 November 2018 01:30pm AEDT
ICCPM Training Webinar (45 Minutes)
Online
13 November 2018 01:30pm AEDT
ICCPM Memberships Webinar (45 mins)
Online
21 - 22 November 2018 06 March 2018
10th Annual NSW Major Projects Conference Sydney ICCPM’s Women in Project Leadership Canberra Breakfast
01 November 2018 - 31 January 2019
Online
UPCOMING CHANGES TO CONNECT The next edition of CONNECT will be published in February 2019. As part of our membership value proposition review, future editions of CONNECT will only be available to ICCPM members. CONNECT will continue to be an international platform for members to publish articles and promote their activities. Non-members will be able to access article headlines and overview, event calendars, and advertisements. Members will get exclusive access to full articles and digital content. ICCPM is adjusting the publishing cycle of CONNECT. The next edition will be published in February when everyone returns to work refreshed after the summer break. CONNECT will then be published in May, August and November. ICCPM will be taking this time to review the publishing format of CONNECT. We are looking for a platform that can deliver increased digital content and interactivity seamlessly to the many devices we now work from. Please let us know what you like about CONNECT, what you would like to see in the future, how you like to read CONNECT, and any suggestions for platforms that you think work well. Contributions from our members are welcome and need to be submitted to marcomms@iccpm.com by 15 January 2019. BUILDING CAPABILITY IN COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS
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Keep connected to ICCPM through iccpm.com, find us on Twitter (@ICCPM) and participate in the LinkedIn discussion group.